Revelation 21:2

τὴν ἁγίαν. Aug. magnam.

2. THE NEW JERUSALEM

This like Revelation 21:1 might still be part of a prefatory announcement of what is narrated in detail Revelation 21:9 sqq.

2. Ἱερουσαλὴμ καινήν. For the old Jerusalem, though we saw (Revelation 20:9, and note) that it is to be again “a holy city” in the last days as of old, will have passed away with “the first earth.”

καταβαίνουσαν … θεοῦ. This is the new Jerusalem of which the earthly city is an imperfect copy; see on Revelation 4:6; Revelation 6:9 for the heavenly Temple. While this world lasts, this true Jerusalem is above (Galatians 4:26); and we only know its nature from the earthly copy of it, before Christ came, and the spiritual approach to it (Hebrews 12:22) since. But in the days here described, it will be realised on earth in all its perfection.

ἡτοιμασμένην. The building and arrangements of the city serve the same purpose as the dress and ornaments of a bride. Cf. Isaiah 61:10.

ὡς νύμφην. See Revelation 19:7 and notes thereon. The metaphors of a woman and a city are combined as in 17, and in 4 Ezra 10:26-27, in 17 the city is a harlot, in Esdras a widow.

κεκοσμημένην. Isaiah 61:10.